NCJ Number
202246
Date Published
September 2003
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This report presents short-term and long-term prison population projections in the State of Iowa for 2003 to 2013, factors impacting prison population growth, and recommendations for change.
Abstract
By 2005, Iowa’s prison population is expected to exceed official capacity by about 27.5 percent, and if current offender behaviors and justice system trends, policies, and practices continue, Iowa’s prison population may be expected to increase by about 42.6 percent from 2003 to 2013. There are several factors involved and identified in both reducing prison growth and continuing prison growth. Those factors in reducing prison growth include: (1) decrease in inmate average length of stay; (2) increase in paroles; and (3) sentencing changes. Those factors contributing to projected-continued growth include: (1) increase in prison admissions; (2) increase in felony charges filed; (3) increase in admissions of drug offenders; (4) increase in community-based offender populations; (5) housing Federal prisoners/detainees; and (6) the long-term effect of abolishing/restricting parole. The benefits of forecasting prison population are to be able to make some determination of the number of inmates that may be incarcerated in the future due to current justice system trends, policies, and practices and to stimulate alternative directions based on specific changes in laws, policies, and/or practices. Tables, graphs, and appendix